COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM

INTRODUCTION

The Ontario Internationally Educated Physical Therapy Bridging (OIEPB) Program is delivered as a hybrid format and designed to provide educational and clinical opportunities that help physiotherapists educated outside of Canada including Canadians educated abroad to succeed with the national exams and in the Canadian workplace.

Our OIEPB licensure exam rates show how well our Alumni have performed.

Performance on licensure exams by bridge learners (>85%) is almost equal to Canadian-trained physiotherapists (>90%) compared to a pass rate of 48% for IEPTs with no bridge training. Once our bridge learners are licensed to practice, 100% are employed and integrate seamlessly into hospitals, private practices and community settings.

The Comprehensive Bridging Program offers a combination of online classes and onsite clinical skills labs at the university, which provides opportunities to:

•    Refresh your knowledge and critical thinking skills to meet Canadian entry-to-practice standards
•    Develop exam taking skills and practice multiple choice questions throughout the program
•    Build your professional network of peers and mentors

• •    Complete 2 non-paid clinical Internships
  •    Experience the Canadian workplace environment and practice of professional behaviours
  •    Learn all about the Canadian healthcare system
  •    Support with career planning, resume and interview preparation

The OIEPB Program is supported by the Department of Physical Therapy, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto.

MISSION STATEMENT

Our Mission is to create an adult learning environment, building upon a learner’s education and clinical experience to promote, improve, and maintain the mobility and function of Canadians.

The goal of the Ontario Internationally Educated Physical Therapy Bridging (OIEPB) Program is to enhance the internationally educated physiotherapist’s (IEPTs) professional and clinical competencies to qualify for practice as an autonomous practitioner within the Canadian healthcare system.

IS THIS PROGRAM RIGHT FOR YOU?

This is the right program for you if you are an internationally educated physiotherapist (IEPT) and want to improve your:

• • Physical therapy knowledge and skills when preparing for the Physiotherapy Competency Exam (PCE)

• • Exam-taking skills for the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulator’s PCE written exam and provincial-based clinical exams

• • Understanding of the physiotherapist’s role and scope of practice in Canada

• • Performance as autonomous health care practitioners

• • Knowledge and skills of how to manage cultural, professional and ethical challenges in the workplace

• • Ability to interact with patients and other health care providers in English

• • Professional networks to begin a career within the Canadian workplace

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Comprehensive Bridging Program is competitive and runs once a year from September to May. Applications are accepted during the calendar year. The curriculum is delivered as a mix of online opportunities and onsite clinical practice. This delivery format provides flexibility and greater access to the program for learners living outside the Greater Toronto Area. To learn more about the content of the program, click the link below.

REQUIREMENTS

The Comprehensive Bridging Program is for internationally educated physical therapists who may meet the Canadian immigration status such as Permanent Residency, Canadian Citizenship or Convention Refugee status. Your credentials must already be approved by CAPR or in the credentialing process at time of application and you must meet the OIEPB English language proficiency requirement.

INFORMATION SESSIONS

The virtual Information Session gives IEPTs an opportunity to learn more about the comprehensive bridging program, which includes 2 clinical internship opportunities. You’ll hear from the Program Director, alumni and representative(s) from micro-loaning agencies. Sign up to see if the Bridging Program meets your needs and have your questions answered!

Date: Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Time: 6:30 – 8:00 pm EST

Location: Zoom

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HOW TO APPLY

Start the application process with our streamlined online form.